The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) urges the media and the public to await official statements on the outcome of informal talks between representatives of the NDFP and the GRP. Officials of the Duterte government should be more circumspect in issuing public statements or comments so as not to preempt the outcome of the informal talks and efforts to revive formal negotiations. It was earlier agreed by both sides that unilateral statements will not be issued prior to actual agreements.

The GRP has publicly declared that it wants the NDFP to commit to a ceasefire agreement as condition for resumption of talks. On the other hand, the NDFP has underscored the clamor for justice (especially the much-delayed release of around 500 political prisoners through a declaration of general amnesty) and for socio-economic reforms (land reform and national industrialization) as the most urgent measures to address the Filipino people’s aspirations for a just and lasting peace.